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Wine
Basics:
Grapes of the World:
France
Reds:
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Merlot
Malbec
Cabernet Franc
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Grenache
Whites:
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillion
Pinot Gris
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
Chenin Blanc
Melon
Italy
Reds:
Sangiovese
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
Nero d'Avola
Corvina
Molinara
Negroamaro
Whites:
Pinot Grigio
Arneis
Malvasia
Moscato
Sauvignon
Verdicchio
Tocai
Vernaccia
Trebbiano
Prosecco
Garganega
U.S.A.
Reds:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Zinfandel
Cabernet Franc
Sangiovese
Whites:
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Semillion
Gewurztraminer
Viognier
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Chenin Blanc
Spain
Reds:
Tempranillo
Garnacha
Monastrell
Whites:
Rueda
Albarino
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Reading
Labels
Wine labels can seem very intimidating to many
people. Here are a few things to keep in mind when staring at labels
and not knowing what to try.
First, what country is it from? West Coast (USA) wines and Australian
wines are pretty straightforward. Most of the time they are by varietal
(grape type). The most popular varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon and
Chardonnay. Also becoming more popular are Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah,
Pinot Gris, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. Lately more wineries
from the West Coast are making blends, why? Because it gives the winemaker
more control over what he can produce. The Aussies have done this for
years. Making wines like Cabernet/Shiraz and Semillon/Chardonnay. It
adds another dimension and you may like some of these blends just as
much.
In Europe; France, Italy, Spain, Germany... The majority of the labels
are listed by place (i.e. town, village, vineyard, region, district).
So when you see the word 'Bourgogne' on the label you know that this
is a Burgundy and the grape is Pinot Noir or Chardonnay depending whether
it's red or white.
Grape Types
There are literally hundreds of varietals (grape types) in the world.
If you know ten of them you're doing better than most.
Here
are some varietals that are the most popular worldwide:
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Zinfandel
Merlot
Sangiovese
Tempranillo
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Semillon
Once you are familiar with the varietal character (flavor) of these
grapes you will know about most of the wines made in the USA, France,
Italy, Spain, Australia, and Chile.
One of the best things you can do is buy a new wine every week. Doesn't
matter what the price is or where it is from, just get something new.
Write it in a journal of your tastings if you like. One week buy Italian,
the next Australian. With time it will all start to make more sense.
Syrah/Shiraz Story
Syrah
and Shiraz are the same grape. The story goes that during the time
of the crusaders in the 11th century, cuttings of Syrah grapes were
discovered in Shiraz, Iran and brought back to the Rhone Valley in
southern France. There they developed into the wines we know of today.
Later in the 19th century Australian winemakers brought Syrah grapes
from France and named them after their original place of origin,
Shiraz. So that's the story. It's all the same grape.
Sauvignon
Blanc/Fume Blanc Story
Thirty
years ago, Robert Mondavi was having a hard time selling his Sauvignon
Blanc, maybe it was a bit sweeter back then, anyway he decided to
make a dryer version of Sauvignon Blanc and call it "Fume" Blanc
after the town Pouilly Fume on the Loire River in France where they
grow
Sauvignon Blanc. His Fume Blanc was a success and the name Fume Blanc
stuck, much the confusion of many wine drinkers. So Sauvignon Blanc
and Fume Blanc are the same grape.
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Total acres planted
by country or region:
Oregon - 11,000
Washington - 28,000
New Zealand - 36,000
Napa County - 40,000
Germany - 259,000
South Africa - 289,000
Australia - 346,000
Chile - 430,000
California - 489,000
Argentina - 516,000
Portugal - 645,000
U.S.A. - 946,000
Italy - 2,244,000
France - 2,266,000
Spain - 2,901,000
Geovino - The World
of Wine |
